Vancouver British Columbia Temple: Church's 131st temple dedicated

Just months after the world turned its view to Vancouver for the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Latter-day Saints looked to the city again – this time in celebration of the dedication of the Church's 131st temple.

President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Vancouver British Columbia Temple on May 2.

Lyn Sloan of Surrey, British Columbia, said Latter-day Saints in the area were excited for the Olympics, but the temple dedication “was always foremost in our minds.”

“We have talked about his day for years and dreamed about it. Really, it is a dream come true.”

Crowds from across British Columbia gathered on the temple grounds for the dedication and cornerstone ceremony of the new temple, held on a drizzly, cold morning prior to the first of the day's three dedicatory sessions.